Sen. Schumer calls for FDA investigation of caffeinated peanut butter

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Dive Brief:

A new caffeinated peanut butter is the target of Sen. Charles Schumer, who wants the FDA to investigate the new athletic and fitness-oriented product. The peanut butter, called STEEM, contains about as much caffeine as two cups of coffee in a two-tablespoon serving, though Schumer argues a single serving contains five times the caffeine of a can of Coke, which could be a health risk for children in particular.

The product couples the protein from peanuts with a boost of caffeine, which the developers say is released more slowly than coffee because it takes longer to digest.

"Caffeinated peanut butter should spur the agency to address the issue of caffeine," Schumer told reporters. "They should put limits on how much is allowed, particularly in snack foods ... And they should certainly require warning labels."

Dive Insight:

Schumer wants the FDA to investigate whether caffeine should be used in peanut butter and other food products.

This isn't Schumer's first foray into increasing further investigations and regulations of caffeinated products. Schumer "called for the ban of caffeinated alcoholic drinks in 2010 following a New York Times story on their dangers. The FDA took action that month, sending warning letters to producers about their unapproved mixtures. This year, Schumer called for a ban on powdered caffeine; a few months later, the FDA sent warning letters to five manufacturers," Quartz reported.

STEEM's creators feel their product meets those guidelines and "is perfectly safe when used as directed."

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